November 2020

On November 17, 2020, Governor Oliver welcomed Micronesia Conservation Trust Executive Director, Mr. William Kostka, and Japanese Ambassador to the FSM, H.E. Hidenobu Sobashima at the Governor’s conference room for a handover ceremony of eight (8) 1,600-gallon water tanks totaling USD $20,000 for Kapingamarangi drought relief donated by the Association for the Promotion of International Cooperation (APIC) and over USD $13,000 worth of equipment from the U.S. Office of Insular Affairs (OIA) through a grant to MCT and the Invasive Species Taskforce of Pohnpei (ISTOP) to assist the conservation and invasive species eradication efforts in Pohnpei. Mr. Kapilly Capelle, the Special Assistant to the Governor, opened the ceremony with a prayer of giving thanks and blessings.  The Master of Ceremonies, Mr. Billston Charley, then invited Mr. William Kostka for a remark afterward. Director Kostka stated that the purpose of the gathering was two-fold, one is to provide assistance to the people of Kapingamarangi for a drought relief that they are currently experiencing, through the eight (8) 1,600-gallon water tanks donation from the $20,000 APIC donation, the Association for Promotion of International Corporation (APIC) in Japan.  Second, MCT also donated $13,513.89, through the US Office of Insular Affairs (OIA) worth of equipment and supplies to assist Pohnpei State with invasive species eradication and conservation enforcement efforts. Japanese Ambassador to the FSM, H.E. Hidenobu Sobashima, delivered his remarks by first highlighting the historic bonds between the FSM and Japan, and the continuing assistance not only from the Government of Japan but also from private organizations in Japan wanting to help the people of FSM, like APIC.  APIC donated $20,000 to MCT for the procurement of the water tanks.  Ambassador Sobashima concluded by saying he hoped these donations will continue, like many others, as symbols of friendships between our two nations. Governor Reed B. Oliver conveyed his thanks on behalf of a grateful Pohnpei State and People to Executive Director Kostka and Ambassador Shobashima for the generous donations made.  He noted MCT’s donation through OIA to help maintain and enhance operations with the Office of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Department of Public Safety, Division of Fish and Wildlife, and Department of Resources and Development,  Division of Agriculture.  He called attention to a meeting before the ceremony where the Kapingamarangi Task Force and Assessment team provided reports on the outcome of a recent trip, the second, to provide much-needed food and water and supplies to Kapingamarangi, and thanked Ambassador Sobashima and Executive Director Kostka for the tanks that will help relief and recovery efforts.  He recognized and thanked the lead agency for the relief efforts, the Department of Resources and Development, Director Hubert Yamada, and Kapingamarangi Senator Kasinda Ludwig as well as the members of the recently returned assessment team.    

On Thursday, November 19, 2020, the FSM Vessel, MV Caroline Voyager, homeported in Pohnpei State arrived in Pohnpei waters from dry-dock in Japan where she was undergoing dry-dock operations.  Governor Oliver was officially informed by official communications from the Office of the President on November 5, that Caroline Voyager will be arriving in Pohnpei after observing a 14-day at-sea quarantine period from Japan. The crew will remain in their quarantine zone / onboard Voyager for an additional 14 days at anchorage. The general public is advised to stay away from Caroline Voyager while they are observing their quarantine at anchorage.  Public Health personnel will be conducting periodic checks with the crew of the Voyager/ onboard including temperature checks and COVID-19 testing prior to their release from quarantine on board Voyager. Initial checks by Pohnpei State Public Health reveals no fever or any signs/symptoms of COVID-19 detected in the crew. The Department of Public Safety and Pohnpei Port Authority will be conducting security patrols during the quarantine period to ensure no contact is made with the crew onboard while in quarantine at anchorage.

Kaselehlie Maingko, Please find the latest Enginkehlap News Radio Program, aired on V6AH in Pohnpeian for the week of 9 – 13 November 2020. Ni wahu, Public Information Officer

On Wednesday, November 11, 2020, at 7:00 AM, the Hon. Reed B. Oliver, Governor of Pohnpei State attended the U.S. Veterans of Pohnpei (USVP) Fun Run opening ceremony at the Kolonia Town Gym. Governor Oliver was the keynote speaker for this all-day event that included a Fun Run/Walk, classes and games for youth, a wreath-laying ceremony at the Pohnpei International Airport’s FSM Veterans Memorial, and a live band, to commemorate and celebrate FSM Veterans of Foreign Wars Day. In his remarks, Governor Oliver recounted the evolution of the holiday, from Armistice Day on the eleventh hour, of the eleventh day of the eleventh month (11:00 am, 11 November) in 1918 to mark the end of World War I, to the establishment of Veterans Day in the U.S. by President Eisenhower in 1954, and the formation of FSM Veterans of Foreign Wars Day by FSM Congress through Public Law 13-38 on June 23, 2004. He thanked the Officers of the USVP, President Kavika Edwin Duff, Vice President Strick Richardo, Secretary Richard Porter, Treasurer Merins Hadley Race, and Public Awareness Officer, Johnny Musrasrik for their efforts in organizing this important event. Governor Oliver expressed his sincere thanks to all “Veterans and family members, who gave their best and sacrificed their lives for the cause of World Peace, Freedom and Security”. He went on to recognize notable Veterans from Pohnpei including His Majesty Wasalapalap Isipahu, Nahnmwarki of Madolenihmw, Herbert Hebel, former Pohnpei State Governor, Hon. Marcelo Peterson who was present, Mayor of Kolonia Town Hon. Beterigo Jacob, FSM President’s Chief of Staff and Chief Compact Negotiator, Leo Falcam, Jr., and former Director of the Department of Public Safety, Mr. Benito Cantero among many others. He concluded his remarks and once again expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to participate in this important occasion of FSM Veterans of Foreign Wars Day with everyone “in the name of Peace and Security of everyone around the world.” Governor Oliver also joined the FSM Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Kandhi Elieisar, U.S. Embassy Kolonia Charge d’Affaires Ms. Somer Bessiere-Briers, Pohnpei State Senator Hon. Helgena Johnson and Gold Star Families to lay wreaths at the Pohnpei International Airports FSM Veterans Memorial.

On October 30, 2020, Governor Oliver met with FSM Secretary of Transportation, Communication, and Infrastructure (TC&I), Mr. Carlson Apis, at the Governor’s cabinet room. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss communications, public projects, transportation, and other items to align and coordinate efforts in these areas.  Secretary Apis was accompanied by Mr. Takuro Akinaga from the FSM’s Telecommunications Regulation Authority (TRA), Mr. Jolden Johnnyboy, and Edward Albert from TC&I, Mr. Rob Solomon from FSM Department of Finance and joining via zoom, Mr. Mike Lott with FSM Open Access Entity (OAE) and Mr. Frank McLaughlin with FSM TRA.  Secretary Apis asked for Governor Oliver’s and the State of Pohnpei’s support with the liberalization of telecommunication services, listing a number of expected improvements and upgrades, including a short presentation by Mr. Mike Lott on Fibre optic access and benefits. Governor Oliver and Secretary Apis also discussed Pohnpei Transportation Authority’s potential development as a semi-autonomous entity, similar to PUC that can translate to improved service and delivery not just for Pohnpei but for the nation.  Finally, the Governor and Secretary spoke on the expected renovation of the Pohnpei State Government Administration building by China Construction Steel Structure Corporation. Secretary Apis agreed that Pohnpei’s Office of Transportation and Infrastructure will take the lead on this project.  Governor Oliver thanked Secretary Apis for his visit and looked forward to the continued coordination and alignment of State and National communication, infrastructure, and transportation projects.

The Honorable Reed B. Oliver, Governor of Pohnpei State, proclaims a period of mourning for three days commencing November 6, 2020. All flags shall be flown at half-mast during the period of mourning, to honor the untimely passing of the late Tadasy Yamaguchi, Former State Senator and Principal Judge of Pohnpei State Court of Land Tenure and Lepen Moar Madolenihmw.

On October 29, 2020, Governor Oliver received 1,500 hygiene kits from UNICEF in a handover ceremony at the Governor’s Conference Room. Director of the Department of Education, Mr. Stanley Etse, thanked Mr. Cromwell Bacareza and UNICEF Micronesia for their continued support to the children of Pohnpei and the Department of Education.   In his remarks, Governor Oliver expressed his gratitude on behalf of the Pohnpei State Government for UNICEF’s generous donation of items that will help the health and well being of the children of Pohnpei. He recalled a recent book launch at Nett Elementary School where children were given a copy of the book “Virus Stopping Champions” to help spread awareness on hygiene and COVID-19 prevention. He asked Mr. Bacareza to convey his thanks to the staff and to UNICEF headquarters.   Before turning over the hygiene kits, Mr. Bacareza outlined UNICEF’s mandate to look out for the rights and welfare of children. He thanked Governor Oliver, Director Etse, and the Pohnpei State Government for their support and the five principals whose schools will be models for the hygiene kit donations:   Principal Darlington Lebehn from Sokehs Powe Elementary Principal Joseph Amor from Saladak Elementary Cecilia Martin from Rohi Elementary Rosalinda Siennes from Ohmine Elementary Jeremy Donre from Awak Elementary School For more photos of the event, please visit our Facebook Page: Pohnpei State Eningkehlap https://www.facebook.com/PohnpeiStateGov